Oro watched the huge Zora spear at the Guardian's eye. It kicked hard and knocked it down as the robot scrambled to its mechanical feet. The Zora clenched his jaw and looked to Oro. "Get to the bridge! Go! The guards are coming!"

He frowned. "You'll get killed," He called out.

"The guards are coming! Get him to safety!" The Zora snapped. Oro flinched, seeing the sharp teeth gleaming as the Guardian rose, refocusing on Link again. The Zora blinked, taking in this information and snarled, attacking the Guardian again. "Go! I'll be fine!"

Oro nodded and got Link to his feet. "Link, c'mon," He said, tugging his arm. He blinked as he watched Link's mouth move, the thunder rumbling louder now over them as it began to rain. He shivered and pulled him hard. "Link, we've gotta go."

"I failed..." He whispered. Oro blinked, staring at Link as his raspy voice reached his ears. "I failed..."

Oro frowned and pushed him hard, making Link stumble behind a boulder. He cupped his face. "Link. You have to focus." Link's eyes slowly found Oro again. "Listen to me: You didn't fail. It's okay. No one blames you." Link gulped and Oro finally saw the tears the rain was washing away. He clenched his jaw and gripped his bow before pushing the harp into his chest. "You better keep that safe!"

Link blinked as Oro ran off, vaguely hearing the bard shout a taunt at the Guardian as it tried to defend itself against the Zora. He clutched the harp and held it tight to his chest as he tried to calm his breath.

Oro dodged its claw, wincing as his leg throbbed. Suddenly, shouts and orders could be heard as the Zora guard came rushing in, driving the mechanic beast back. It was the large red Zora that launched another spear at it. This time, a loud crack was heard. He blinked, watching the lights on it flicker before it collapsed loudly. The Zora around him cheered happily as the largest let out a breath of relief before meeting Oro's eyes.

"Hail, Prince Sidon!" One of them shouted behind Oro as the troops cheered at the victory.

Oro blinked, absorbing this as the Zora approached, towering over him. "Well done! You're quite the archer. We could use someone like you to help us."

The bard shook his head. "No, no. I'm just a bard-"

"And a humble one too!" The prince laughed, beaming now.

"No.. I'm a bard. I know how to fire a bow is all," The prince blinked. "I couldn't leave you to fight that thing alone. Prince or not, no one should face the Guardians alone."

Sidon smiled sweetly and gripped Oro's shoulder. "Well spoken. Oh, we should see about your leg. I saw you wince once your friend was in cover-"

"Shit! Link!" Oro shouted, staggering over to the spot he'd hidden the hero. He paled, hearing Link breaths come in tight rasps. "Link, Link, look at me." The hero whimpered and covered his ears, shaking still.

Sidon hurried over, watching the bard attempting to calm the hero. He frowned, watching as he whispered to Link. "Your majesty," The captain asked, approaching. "What about the plan?"

"Later. You all return home and let the king know what happened. I'm going to guide these two back and make sure they're safe."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The troop said, saluting their prince before diving into the waters.

Sidon smiled as the captain hesitated. "Don't worry. I'll have them there by midnight. We should have the rooms we keep for our guests readied though. I think they both need some rest."

The captain nodded and dove into the water as Sidon approached the Hylians. He knelt, making Link blink in surprise. He smiled gently. "I am glad you're both alright. For the most part," He said, looking to Oro. "How's your leg?"

Link's eyes snapped to Oro's healing leg as he clutched the harp tighter to his chest. "Easy," Oro chuckled as Link watched him. "It just hurts from the running is all. I just need to rest it when I get the chance."

Sidon hummed. "If you'll allow it, I can carry you. You both can stay at the domain. It's a long walk up to my home."

Oro frowned. "But you can swim up there easily. Don't make your life troublesome over me," He said simply.

Sidon grinned. "I insist. It'll be good to make sure you're both alright."

Oro looked to Link and he nodded, standing and helping Oro to his feet. The prince easily scooped up Oro with one arm, making the bard squeak in shock. Link chuckled at that as Oro blushed brightly. He then blinked, noting how the bard went quiet as Sidon smiled to him. "Let me know if you need to get comfortable."

The bard gulped and mumbled, "Alright," softly as the walk up the path began. He looked around, admiring the structures they'd passed and the bridges they went over.

Sidon blinked, glancing at Link. "I'm sorry. I don't think I've properly introduced myself. I am Sidon, Prince of the Zoras. It's good to meet you both." Link began to sign to him. "Oh...you're deaf?"

Oro quickly covered his mouth before he began to shout his introduction to Link. "No. He's mute. He uses Hylian Sign to speak. He's Link."

Sidon smiled. "It's good to meet you then, Link." He blinked and tried to think. "Why does that name sound familiar?"

Oro looked to Link. The hero signed, "Not yet," to him. "I want to figure out what all I need to do here for the Divine Beast here."

Oro nodded in response then blushed brightly as Sidon looked to him with that wide smile. "And you are, humble bard?" He gulped and mumbled. Sidon hummed, leaning closer. "I'm sorry. I couldn't quite hear you."

It was then Link figured it out. While Oro was naturally a flirtatious guy, it was obvious that he had a small crush on the Zora prince. He hummed, trying to think of what he could do as he watched the bard get more and more flustered when a sudden crash of thunder echoed around them. Oro clung to Sidon, who instinctively cradled the bard close, looking around.

"The storm is starting to worsen. There should be a cave nearby we can shelter in for the time being," Sidon explained, hurrying them up the path. Link hurried with the prince to the shelter. Oro shivered and the prince held him tighter. "You're alright," he whispered to the bard as they hurried.

Link watched the storm, eying the river as he noticed it picking up speed. He blinked when Oro hissed softly. "Ow."

"Sorry," Sidon chuckled. Link approached as Sidon carefully rubbed a salve over the injury on Oro's leg. "I'm...learning the amount of pressure that's appropriate for a Hylian of your size. You're almost like a guppy."

Link smirked as Oro huffed. "I'm not-" He groaned as Link knelt, watching the Zora's thumb lightly rubbing the salve over it. He frowned and removed his glove, putting the back of his hand against the reddened skin. "Feverish?" Oro asked, making Sidon's eyes snap to Link.

The hero shook his head, smiling. "I worried it was," He signed in admission. Sidon sighed in relief. "Why did you charge in there?"

"As I told him, I couldn't let someone fight one of those things alone." There was a long silence as Link wrapped his leg back up. Sidon watched Oro worriedly. "What's up?" He asked the Zora.

Sidon blinked and shook his head. "Nothing. Just...not sure," He confessed. "I'm going to consult my father about it later on." Link frowned, watching the prince. "You needn't worry. I'm not going to steal your boyfriend," He said, smiling sincerely.

Link sighed, holding his forehead between his fingers as Oro laughed. "Not together. We're just friends. But I do enjoy messing with him a bit," Oro added with a wink. Link lightly punched his shoulder, making him smile.

"Then that is my mistake. Forgive me," He said, bowing his head respectively. Oro smiled shyly as he ran a hand through his hair. Link snickered, making Oro blush more. "Is something funny?"

"Not at all," Oro said, smiling softly. "Just not used to someone like you."

Sidon frowned a slight. "As in a Zora?"

"Well, yeah, that, but I mean your mannerisms. You're so...polite and happy. It's nice."

"Is Link not?" Sidon asked, making Oro laugh as the hero huffed. The prince blinked in surprise. "Link, are you incredibly rude to your dear bard?"

Oro laughed harder as Link rubbed his mouth, clearly exhausted. He reached over and squished the hero's face. "Aw, c'mon. Just playing with you." Link smiled and moved his hand away then blinked as he saw Sidon relax. Oro hummed and looked to Sidon. "Sidon?"

"The storm is easing up," He said, nodding to the world outside the cave. "We should get moving right away. Otherwise, we'll be here for a long time. The rainfall has been endless. We're not far from the domain. Just a bit further." Sidon helped Oro get situated and lifted him easily, keeping him closer now.

The prince frowned at this, trying to understand what his instincts were telling him. Instead, he guided Link through the path to the domain, narrowly avoiding monsters. He blinked as Oro shivered and curled closer, making to shield him with his free hand. "You're cold," he whispered. "Almost there."

Oro nodded, humming softly. He blinked as he looked up, seeing the long bridge. He smiled, straightening. "Link, this is The Great Zora Bridge. We're here at last."

Link looked to Oro and smiled, eying the architecture around him. He blinked as he felt a tingle in the back of his mind, wondering if he'd been there before. Sidon led them over, where a group of Zora guards greeted them. "Your Highness, allow me to take the Hylian from-" Sidon immediately clenched his jaw, surprising the soldier. "Your Highness?"

Oro blinked and looked up at him before adjusting. "Hey. It's okay," He said to the prince, pulling his attention. "He's just wanting to help you. Don't worry about me, alright?"

Sidon nodded. "Yes. Yes, of course. Careful, his leg was injured in a previous battle. I'd like it to be looked at by Nune if possible," He said as the soldier easily took the Hylian as he passed him over. Oro got situated, frowning a slight due to the shift. "Is something wrong?"

"Just throbbing again," he said, smiling softly then looking to Link. "You okay?" Link clenched his jaw a slight.

"I can take him to the guest quarters," Sidon assured. "Once you're healed up, you'll be given a spare room. Fret not, we'll see you come morning. You need plenty of rest."

Oro smirked a slight. "I have a feeling you're saying that more to yourself," He teased, making the other Zora tense before a crash of lightning startled them all. Oro curled up tightly and hid his face in the soldier holding him.

Sidon kept his feet rooted in place as Oro was taken away, watching helplessly. He gulped and took a breath. "This way, Link. You need to rest as well. It seemed you had a bad panic attack. Understandable though. Guardians are terrifying."

Link glanced in the direction Oro was taken and sighed, nodding as he followed. He frowned, trying to think of how he could communicate. "I can read Hylian Sign," The prince suddenly said. "I just haven't used it in a very long time. My sister had a friend who was Hylian like you. He stopped speaking after losing his father." Link blinked at that. "I was still too young to remember him too well, but he was a kind man. He helped her learn how to fight and because he was often hurt, she was able to master her healing abilities. Ironic, isn't it?" He chuckled.

The hero nodded, smiling a slight. "Is there a reason you're so worried about him?" He signed, raising an eyebrow.

Sidon blinked, shocked by that. "I...I don't know," He answered honestly. He thought for a long moment. "I want to run over there and protect him, hold his hand while he's being healed. Lightning scares him and I want to keep him safe. I'd say it's because he's small but, compared to me, so are you."

Link hummed. "You tensed when that guard reached for him," He signed, tilting his head a slight.

Sidon blinked and sighed, rubbing his face. "Did I? Perhaps I too need some rest. No matter. I need to report to the king still." He smiled and gestured to the door, surprising Link. "This room and the one besides yours. It'll be yours and Oro's for your stay here. Tomorrow, I'd like to take you both to visit my father. We'd like to ask something of you. A mission. We're in desperate need of Hylian aid."